Position detector for remote control system

Abstract

A remote control system for controlling the actuation of control levers through an actuator unit from a remote location by a moveable operator. The system includes a control position detector for detecting the position of the operator which is directly connected to the operator to reduce the manual effort required for actuation of the control levers and to improve the responsiveness of the system.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination with a watercraft and a powering marine propulsion unit, a remote control system for transmitting control movement to first and second controlled elements comprising a control unit, a remote control unit having a housing and an operator pivotally movable between a plurality of positions relative to said housing, a rotating shaft assembly rotatably disposed within said housing and affixed to said operator for rotation therewith when said operator is pivotally moved, a first position detector having a rotatable element directly connected to one end of said rotating shaft assembly for rotation therewith and for detecting the position of said operator and outputting a signal to said control unit indicative of the detected position of said operator, a second position detector for detecting the position of said first controlled element and outputting a signal to said control unit indicative of the detected position of said first controlled element, a third position detector for detecting the position of said second controlled element and outputting a signal to said control unit indicative of the detected position of said second controlled element, an actuator unit including motor means for actuating said controlled elements on the basis of the signals received by said control unit. 
     
     
       2. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first position detector further comprises a potentiometer operably connected to said rotating shaft assembly. 
     
     
       3. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a comparator for comparing the signals received from said first, second, and third position detectors and outputting a difference signal to said actuator unit for controlling the operation of said motor means to null the difference signals. 
     
     
       4. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein said operator can be selectively set to control only one of the controlled elements. 
     
     
       5. A remote control system as recited in claim 4, wherein one of said controlled elements is associated with the transmission of the marine propulsion unit and the other of said controlled elements is associated with the throttle of the marine propulsion unit and wherein said operator can be selectively set to transmit control movement only to said controlled element associated with the throttle. 
     
     
       6. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotating shaft assembly comprises a rotating shaft and a coupling that is interposed between said rotating shaft and said first position detector.